Our Mission
Mercy Learning Center provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.
Our History
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1987
The Founding
Two educators, Sr. Eileen Boffa and Sr. Cheryl Driscoll, founded Mercy Learning Center to serve the literacy needs of undereducated mothers in Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut. We provided tutoring in a borrowed room at the Cardinal Sheehan Center.
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1992
First Full-Time Program
Full-time program launched for women who could read at a fourth grade level or higher. Located in a 15-room vacant rectory at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
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1997-2001
New Location
Mercy Learning Center relocates to the former Sacred Heart School building, our present location. Childcare services, access to a social worker, a learning specialist, and on-site clothing store added. Served 900 women during this time period.
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2002-2004
Programs Expand
Founders resign and Jane Ferreira becomes President/CEO. English as a Second Language and GED® programs launched. Food pantry opens and the childcare program expands.
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2005-2008
Accreditation
Mother/toddler pre-literacy program added. Mercy Learning Center accredited by ProLiteracy and named a National External Diploma Program (NEDP®) site.
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2009-2012
Building Purchased
We purchased our Park Avenue building, thanks to the support of a few anonymous donors. Building renovated to include additional classrooms, increased childcare space, and dedicated space for our social services programs. Early Childhood Education Program becomes licensed by the state of Connecticut.
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2017
30 Year Anniversary
Mercy Learning Center celebrates 30 years of serving greater Bridgeport. 13,000 women served to date.
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2019-2022
COVID-19 Response
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercy Learning Center pivots to provide in-person programming designed with the utmost concern for our students, staff, and volunteers.
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2023 & beyond
Empowering Women For Years To Come
More than 16,800 women, and more than 2,500 children, served since 1987. Jane Ferreira resigned and Lindsay Wyman was hired as the new President/CEO after a national search. We look forward to empowering thousands of women and their children through education in the years to come!
Our Leadership Team
Lindsay Wyman
President & CEO
Jeanette Lizondro
Director of Operations
Maria Moreno
Director, Early Childhood Education Program
Kiko Teed
Director of Curriculum
Board of Directors
- Tammy Barry, Chair
- Eric Speer, Vice Chair
- Roseanna Coleman, Treasurer
- Gina Beranek, Secretary
- Mary Butala
- Theanne Chivily Feldman
- Jennifer Hicks
- Michael Ian
- Barbara Kleban
- Marcia Lim
- Caitlin Ludlow
- Antoinette Farrugia Moro
- Stella Seo
- Brian J. Wenzel, Sr.
Our Students
Mercy Learning Center students are wonderfully diverse and they each arrive at our school with unique goals, challenges, and dreams.
- Our students come from 45 different countries and speak 17 languages.
- Our youngest student is 17 years old and our oldest is 85 years old. More than 70% of our students fall between the ages of 17 and 44.
- 60% of our students are mothers who have children 18 years old and younger.
- Many of them work one, two, or sometimes even three jobs in addition to coming to class.
- 73% of our students live in poverty
- 100% of our students are committed to their education and we are with them every step of the way.